At $21,185/yr net price, Maine Maritime Academy graduates earn $89,964/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $55,964/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,185 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $84,740 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $89,964/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$55,964/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,499/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,642/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,372/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,427/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,342/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $106,421 | $27,000 |
| Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. | Bachelor | $97,705 | $27,000 |
| Marine Transportation. | Bachelor | $82,440 | $27,000 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other. | Bachelor | $81,997 | $27,000 |
| Systems Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,749 | |
| International Business. | Bachelor | $49,464 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
61.4% of students at Maine Maritime Academy graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 39% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Maine Maritime Academy pays off. Median earnings of about $90,000 ten years out against a net price of roughly $21,000 puts this among the strongest returns you'll find at a small public school. You leave with $27,000 in debt, and your first-decade earnings clear that in a single year. The 82% retention rate and 61% graduation rate mean most people who start here finish and land the outcomes the numbers show.
The maritime and engineering pipeline drives this. Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Marine Transportation, and the "Other" engineering technologies programs all land in the low-to-mid $80,000s or higher. Business Administration tops the list past $106,000, the highest-paying bachelor's program on campus. Systems Engineering is the weak spot at under $64,000, roughly $34,000 below Marine Engineering with the same $27,000 debt load. If you're choosing between engineering tracks here, that gap is worth your attention.
The specific risk is the narrow focus. This is a maritime academy, and the payoff assumes you want licensed maritime, marine engineering, or transportation work. Those careers often require sea time and a tolerance for the industry's cycles. If you enroll unsure about the maritime path, you carry the same debt without the clearest routes to the high salaries.
Net price scales hard with income. Families under $30,000 pay about $12,500, while families over $110,000 pay about $25,300 , roughly double. The middle tiers land near $18,000 to $22,000, so even a $75,000-to-$110,000 household should plan on the higher end.
Go here if you want a maritime or engineering career and will commit to it. If you're undecided on major or want broad liberal-arts options, the return here won't apply to you the way it does for the licensed tracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maine Maritime Academy worth the cost compared to other schools?
Maine Maritime Academy graduates earn $89,964 annually after 10 years, which is strong for a regional school. The $21,185 net price and $27,000 median debt create a reasonable debt-to-income ratio for most programs.
Which Maine Maritime Academy programs have the best ROI?
Business Administration leads with $106,421 average earnings, followed by Naval Architecture at $97,705. Marine Transportation and Engineering Technologies also clear $80,000, making these programs solid investments.
What are the risks of attending Maine Maritime Academy?
The 61% graduation rate means nearly 4 in 10 students don't finish, which creates debt without degree benefits. The specialized maritime focus also limits career flexibility if students change interests.
How much debt do Maine Maritime Academy students typically graduate with?
Median debt is $27,000, which is manageable given the $89,964 average earnings after 10 years. This creates a debt-to-income ratio around 30%, which is considered reasonable for student loans.